My vessel is equipped with an AIS transponder (or receiver). Can I use it to collect and share AIS-data?

Yes, this is also possible provided that your vessel has a 3G/GSM or Satellite internet connection on board. Actually, this is a very interesting idea as it would enable long-range coverage in every sea route of the world! AIS transponders that are already installed on most vessels can be used as “roaming’’ AIS receiving stations - a station of this kind collects and exports AIS information regarding both the vessel’s own positions and those of all the nearby ships.

Thus, if your vessel has internet connectivity onboard, then the collected signals can be easily sent to our central server, with no additional cost or equipment. Therefore, MarineTraffic may depict more vessels’ positions on the Live Map; not only near shores but in open seas also (which is only achievable via satellite coverage, otherwise). For example, a ship crossing an ocean would be constantly transmitting its own positions as well as the positions of all other ships that would happen to be sailing around it (in a range of 30-40 NM).

Here are some basic instructions for implementing the 'onboard' AIS data collection:

The main prerequisite to implementing this solution is a PC with access to an onboard internet connection.